6 days /5 nights
Casual
Customised Journey
Fully guided Journey
Semi guided Journey
La Rioja
Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of northern Spain with a hands-on journey through three distinct regions. Master traditional dishes alongside local chefs in exclusive cooking classes and live demonstrations, gaining an authentic taste of the culture. Enjoy private access to renowned wineries, curated cultural experiences, and wine tastings that bring the essence of La Rioja to life. Cook in beautifully equipped kitchens and traditional gastronomic societies, and indulge in elegant picnics set against the stunning backdrop of rolling vineyards.
This is more than a culinary experience—it’s a chance to connect deeply with the traditions, flavors, and landscapes of La Rioja, all while embracing responsible and immersive travel.
April through November
This semi-guided journey offers the perfect balance of structure and flexibility, allowing you to explore at your own pace. It can be fully customized to match your interests and preferences.
Make this culinary journey yours. This private tour can be customised to your specific preferences and requirements.
Begin your day with a scenic transfer to Bilbao, the vibrant cultural capital of the Basque Country, where you’ll check into your elegant hotel. Embark on a private tour of the historic Old Town, where centuries-old architecture, lively markets, and charming plazas offer a glimpse into the city’s rich heritage. Then, experience the iconic Guggenheim Museum, an architectural marvel showcasing an exceptional collection of contemporary art. Indulge in a gourmet lunch at the Guggenheim Bistrot, savoring exquisite regional flavors in a stylish setting. As evening falls, immerse yourself in a curated culinary experience, whether through an exclusive tasting menu of the Basque Country’s finest flavors or a hands-on show-cooking session, where expert chefs reveal the secrets of traditional Basque cuisine.
Included:
Private transfer to ytour hotel
Private Guided walking tour of the Old Town
Private guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum
Tickets to the Guggenheim Museum
Lunch reservations
Dinner – a private show-cooking experience
Overnight stay at the Hotel **** Bilbao
Not Included:
Lunch
Personal expenses & additional meals/drinks
Our day begins with a transfer to your hotel in the heart of the Rioja wine region, setting the stage for a truly memorable experience. We then embark on a guided walking tour of the charming medieval town of Briones, perched above the meandering Ebro River. As we wander through its cobbled streets, we’ll visit centuries-old churches adorned with exquisite polychromatic paintings, showcasing the town’s rich cultural heritage. No culinary adventure in Spain would be complete without mastering the art of paella. In the cutting-edge kitchens of a prestigious winery, the world’s first winery to earn an Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design certification, we’ll enjoy an exclusive cooking class led by expert chefs. After touring the winery and learning about its innovative winemaking practices, we’ll prepare and indulge in an authentic paella, expertly paired with exceptional wines from the region. In the afternoon, we delve deeper into the world of wine with a visit to Vivanco, home to the largest wine museum in the world. Here, you’ll explore the history, artistry, and traditions behind winemaking, enriching your appreciation of this revered craft. The rest of the day is yours to relax, unwind, and explore the beautiful region at your own pace.
Included:
Transfers were applicable
Guided Walking Tour through the medieval town of Briones
Cooking Class in the kitchens of a prestigious winery, including a Paella-making demonstration
Tour of the winery, the world’s first winery to receive an Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design certification
Paella meal paired with exceptional local wines
Guided visit to the Vivanco Wine Museum, the largest wine museum in the world
Overnight stay in a hotel**** in the Rioja
Not Included:
Dinner
Personal expenses & additional meals/drinks
Embark on a refined journey into the world of wine as we begin with an exclusive visit to Bodegas Muga, one of the region’s most celebrated wineries, where you’ll gain deeper insight into the art of wine tasting. Afterward, we’ll continue our wine exploration with tastings at two additional renowned wine bars, each offering a unique experience of Rioja’s finest selections. Next, we travel to Haro, the wine capital of Rioja, where we’ll savor a delicious lunch at a charming family-owned restaurant. This gem features a beautifully preserved 16th-century wine cellar, dating back to 1877. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the meticulous process behind their famous lamb, roasted to perfection in a traditional wood-fired oven. After lunch, we’ll transfer back to your hotel, where you can unwind and enjoy the evening at your leisure, with dinner on your own.
Included:
Transfers were applicable
Exclusive visit to Bodegas Muga for a wine tasting experience.
Wine tastings at two additional renowned wine bars in the Rioja region.
Guided tour of Haro, the capital of the Rioja wine region.
Lunch at a family-owned restaurant featuring a historic 16th-century wine cellar.
Demonstration of traditional lamb preparation roasted in a wood-fired oven.
Overnight stay in a hotel**** in the Rioja
Not Included:
Dinner
Personal expenses & additional meals/drinks
We begin our day with a visit to the charming medieval town of Laguardia, founded in the 10th century as a defensive stronghold for the Kingdom of Navarre. Stepping through its ancient streets feels like traveling back in time, as its medieval layout has remained largely unchanged. Next, we head to the picturesque vineyards near the meandering Ebro River for an unforgettable outdoor cooking class beneath the shade of a centuries-old oak tree. Here, we’ll learn the traditional art of grilling lamb over an open fire, accompanied by freshly harvested red peppers, a tangy leek vinaigrette salad, the iconic ‘Patatas a la Riojana,’ and rich blood sausage—all perfectly paired with exquisite Rioja wines. After lunch, we’ll transfer back to your hotel, where you can unwind and enjoy the evening at your leisure, with dinner on your own.
Included:
Transfers were applicable
Guided visit to the medieval town of Laguardia, a charming 10th-century town.
Open-air cooking class in the vineyards
Overnight stay in a hotel**** in the Rioja
Not Included:
Dinner
Personal expenses & additional meals/drinks
We will begin our day with a visit to a centuries-old winery, home to winding underground tunnels and thousands of aging bottles—often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of wine. This historic gem, once frequented by Hemingway, offers an exclusive wine tasting paired with the finest Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. After immersing ourselves in winemaking traditions, we will indulge in a gourmet lunch at a Michelin-star-recommended restaurant, celebrating authentic Riojan flavors. As a special treat, our sommelier will open a rare wine from the 1950s, providing a unique opportunity to savor a truly exceptional vintage. The afternoon is yours to unwind, explore at your leisure, or take in the stunning vineyard surroundings. In the evening, we will regroup for a memorable final cooking class, where you’ll master the art of preparing iconic Spanish dishes: the classic ‘tortilla de patata’ (Spanish omelette), ‘sopa de ajo’ (garlic soup), and ‘manitas de cerdo’ (roasted suckling pig). A perfect way to end our unforgettable journey through Spain’s rich flavors and culinary traditions.
Included:
Transfers were applicable
Visit to a centuries-old winery, with winding underground tunnels and a historic wine cellar
Exclusive wine tasting paired with Jamón Ibérico de Bellota
Gourmet set menu lunch at a Michelin-star recommended restaurant, featuring authentic Riojan flavors
Special tasting of a rare wine from the 1950s, opened by a sommelier
Afternoon free to relax or explore at your leisure in the stunning vineyard surroundings
Final cooking class featuring classic Spanish dishes
Overnight stay in a hotel**** in the Rioja
Not Included:
Personal expenses & additional meals/drinks
After a fine breakfast, we will transfer you to Bilbao for your onward travels.
Included:
Transfer to the Bilbao Airport
* NST itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Alma Pamplona is an active travel friendly hotel. Modern and avant-garde, has its own personality, which seeks to surprise. This quiet enclave is where we luxuriate in the Spa and Treatment center, and chill at the gastro bar after a morning of activity.
Hotel Miró is located in the center of Bilbao about 170 meters from the Museum of Fine Arts and 900 meters from the Zubizuri Bridge. The historic quarter, where you will find the Arriaga Theater and the Plaza Nueva among other points of interest, is in walking distance.
Hotel Tayko is located in the center of Bilbao, about 70 meters from Arriaga Theater and the Plaza Nueva, among other points of interest, is in walking distance. But, best of all is that Tayko Hotel is a lifestyle hotel with 54 rooms with prime views of the Ria (estuary) or Merced Street.
Señorío de Arínzano is one of the oldest wineries in Spain, but is also one of our favorite accommodations for walking, cycling and food and wine visits.
It is strategically located in the town Briones, it is the ideal location for our culinary journeys to discover the region and its gastronomy. It is already one of the best hotels in La Rioja.
Stephanie, the dynamo of our organization, is a Canadian who has fallen in love with this region of Spain. She is enterprising, innovative and has an endless amount of energy to design unique outstanding travel plans, making her passion her profession. She has the firm conviction that until the product standards are exceptional, they should not be offered.
“Our goals are two: one is to dazzle our visitors and another is to share with them what we find so extremely enchanting about this region of Spain”.
Oliver is our greatest ambassador of Pamplona. Oliver has it all: charm, conversation and deep knowledge of his Basque culture. You will feel like you’ve made a new friend during one of his energetic tours. Oliver is always on the beat searching for the perfect pintxo and exciting, outside-the-box experiences. He is dedicated to designing the most exclusive events for our guests, such as the Hemingway to the Basque Coast tour, or a walking tour of the Running of the Bulls course with an international bull runner. He knows the all the best destinations and activities on the off-the-beaten cultural track.
“This is our essential hallmark that sets us apart from any other events agency”.
